RAMON MESA FROM SHEERNESS SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN MAIDSTONE

In March 2018, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse emerged from Sheerness, involving Ramon Mesa, a man who subjected a young girl to a prolonged campaign of sexual misconduct. The victim, now an adult, bravely shared her harrowing experience in court, revealing the profound and lasting impact that Mesa’s actions have had on her life.

During the proceedings at Maidstone Crown Court, the girl’s victim statement was read aloud, emphasizing her deep-seated fears and feelings of worthlessness. She expressed her concern that the trauma inflicted upon her by Mesa might prevent her from becoming the woman she could have been, highlighting the emotional scars left by his abuse. Her words underscored the devastating effects of her ordeal, which she described as stripping away her innocence and leaving her with a sense of profound despair.

Judge Martin Joy, presiding over the case, condemned Mesa as a “devious sexual predator,” emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge remarked that the victim must have regarded Mesa as a monster, given the nature of his actions. Mesa, a Spanish-born man who was residing in Sheerness at the time, denied all allegations, claiming that the victim was lying. Despite his denials, the court found him guilty of two counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of assault by penetration. He was acquitted of other charges related to causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Following his conviction, Mesa, who later moved to accommodation in Broadstairs, was sentenced to 14 years in prison under an extended sentence for public protection. The court determined that he must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole, and upon release, he will be subject to a two-year period of supervision on licence. The judge highlighted that Mesa’s offending was part of an escalating series of offences, supported by overwhelming evidence presented during the trial.

Judge Joy described Mesa’s conduct as “perverted, unnatural, and disgusting,” condemning his actions as deeply harmful. He also noted the long delay before the trial, which he said must have been an additional form of torture for the victim, who endured nearly a week of being called a liar by Mesa’s legal counsel in court. The judge emphasized the damaging nature of such offences, which not only violate the innocence of a child but also foster a sense of distrust and fear towards men in general.

The victim, who was able to give her testimony openly without being shielded by screens from Mesa, recounted how her experience has profoundly affected her trust in men. She described feeling worthless and grieving for the person she might have become, lamenting the lost innocence of her childhood. Her statement reflected the deep emotional scars left by Mesa’s abuse and the ongoing struggle to rebuild her life.

Judge Joy expressed hope that the young woman, despite her ordeal, could find the strength to become the person she aspired to be. A probation report revealed that Mesa had shown no remorse or regret for his actions, dismissing the abuse as “just a bit of damage” to the victim. The court concluded that Mesa posed a significant risk to the public, particularly to vulnerable children, and therefore, he will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order was issued to restrict his future conduct, underscoring the seriousness with which the court viewed his crimes.